“We are equipped to meet the demands for cables from all areas of power sector – generation, transmission and distribution,” says Hiten Khatau, Chairman & Managing Director, Cable Corporation of India
What is the market size of the cable industry in the country?
The Indian Wire & Cable industry grew by over 11 per cent during 2009-10. This was indicative of a strong economic revival. The wire and cable industry comprises 20 percent of the entire electrical industry, which is expected to double in size over the next five years. The industry is growing at a CAGR of 15 percent as a result of growth in the power and infrastructure segments. It is expected to grow at similar rate for the next five years. The government’s emphasis on the power sector reforms and infrastructure will further drive growth. However there is a temporary slowdown which is likely to correct with market friendly initiatives from the government.
Give us an overview of the advanced cables that the Cable Corporation of India is manufacturing?
CCI has been in the EHV cables segments, up to 230 KV EHV cables, for more than fifteen years. These cables are critical for power sector. The EHV cables are supplied to major Indian utilities such as Power Grid, TNEB, KSEB, KPTCL. The cables also go to countries like Bangladesh. Our product range includes underground cables with different insulations. We manufacture Extra High Voltage (EHV) cables, High voltage cables (HT) and Low Tension (LT) cables.
What kind of role is the Cable Corporation of India playing in hydro electric projects?
Two major Hydro Projects which we have executed on Turnkey basis, involving design, manufacture, lay and commission are the Kadamparai Hydro electric pump storage scheme, and the Pykara Hydro electric Project, both are in Tamil Nadu. The highlights of the projects are laying of The Extra High Voltage Cables in Vertical & Inclined Shafts for lengths of 330 meters to 600 meters including snaking designs. Also special clamping methods along the route were adopted. The job also involved terminating of cables on Transformer tops using inverted terminations.
Tell us about the role that Cable Corporation of India is playing the power sector in general?
We are equipped to meet the demands for cables from all areas of power sector – generation, transmission and distribution. We can service all voltages from the Low Voltage 1.1 KV to 230KV sector. In all areas we can undertake tasks ranging from design to commissioning on a turnkey basis. CCI is well equipped to meet the demands of various industrial and infrastructure related projects that are being started all over the country.
Tell us about your submarine cables.
We have equipped The Vivekanada Rock Memorial and Valluvar Statue in the south and Bet Dwaraka in west with undersea cables for drawing power from the mainland. The Vivekananda Rock is at the congruence of three seas (Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal) and as such are very turbulent areas to work. The cable was laid in sea with protective covers and is in operation for more than 13 years. It provides power to both rock memorial and the Valluvar Statue. The cable at Bet Dwaraka links the city of Dwaraka with the Lord Krishna’s abode at Bet island drawing power with a 11KV Ht Cable. This was a 3 km single stretch of cable without joints. Both jobs were undertaken on turnkey basis from concept to commissioning.
What policies can the government come up with to bring growth to the cable industry in the country? Tell us about your expectations from the government
With the opening of economy, global players are entering the arena, and are adopting aggressive pricing strategies. The Industry faces competition from Korean, Chinese, Thai and in some cases from European suppliers too. Government policies should provide fair playing field. Encouragement has to be provided to local industry by increasing the special import duty on certain products, which are brought into the country from outside at much lower prices. Local players should get preference in government contracts. The steel industry as well as the power equipment Industry in India is facing a major challenge in terms of international competition.